Kanda Hitotsubashi Junior High School near Palaceside Building in Takebashi, Tokyo, saw new entrants this year reach four times the second-year count—a sharp increase.
That refers to the school's correspondence course: last year 2 enrolled; this year 8, for 13 "students" total.
Originally Kanda Hitotsubashi Junior High, it merged with two other ward schools in Heisei 17 amid central Tokyo depopulation.
Only this school and Tennoji Junior High in Osaka offer junior high correspondence nationwide. Established in Showa 23 for those who finished elementary school but could not enter or complete junior high during wartime and postwar turmoil and have not completed present compulsory education.
Three of this year's eight entrants are in their 80s; the oldest is 81, the youngest 60. Most had long wanted to complete compulsory education but lacked time until now. They study at home, submit reports, and attend face-to-face classes (schooling) at the school twice monthly on Sundays. Correspondence education director Sekiya Noboru says eligible persons decline with age, yet this year more wished to study. "Everyone is eager and devoted to learning."